[shannon@global]

I left my old job after 8 years of service with them and I just started a with a new company in December (1 month now) and the "lady" who trained me recently quit. Her last day was 3 days ago. I was originally hired as the receptionist but since the "lady" gave her notice at the end of December, she trained me for her position (a/c payable/receivables, which, I did at my last job and am quite familiar with). The owner of the company has been away the whole time I've worked here and is expected to return tomorrow. I have not yet worked WITH him but was hired by him before he left.

Today, I found a letter she wrote to the owner updating him on several things while he was away (mostly concerning business). I read two lines though that referred to me and I'm quite upset about it! One was that when he hires a new receptionist that he should give her a key RIGHT AWAY since I'm seem to be habitually late coming in. This is completely UNTRUE!! I'm here every morning at 7:30 and never left early unless the "lady" said we were closing earlier. She however left most days at 1 or 2 o'clock (she's paid til 4pm, and does the payroll).

The other notes was that he (the boss) will have to show me other parts of the business since she "had a hard enough time training her to do this work!". I don't understand where she was getting all this from! She seemed so nice to me while she was here. I took notes of everything she showed me and when I asked how she came to decide to pay which accounts at which time she said "I just know". Now, how am I supposed to learn from that response?

My question is this, I know I was supposed to see that note. Should I wait to see if my boss says anything to me at all about it? I can't prove that I was in on time (he'll see for himself that I'm punctual when he comes back). And if I do ask him questions on certain accounts, is he going to think I couldn't learn the position, when actually "she" wouldn't give me the correct information. And, how do I know on the stuff she DID train me on was correct. What if she is trying to sabotage me because she already had intentions on leaving!

Please give me all the advise you have!

[ForwardON]

Shannon, First CALM down Most of the time when we are being trained for anothers position - even if they are leaving of their own will - there is a residual jealousy on their part! Her leaving that note, knowing you would see it - is a problem on her part and by you panicking and trying to think ahead of way to offset her remarks is a waste of your valuable time! Instead - prove otherwise by your actions and the way you do this is to start listening and then talking with others in the company. Go through "her" files and learn as much as you can from them. Do not be afraid to ask questions of your co-workers and of your "boss." This is your position now for the taking!

[Chrissy Scivicque]

I have to agree with Justine...it's all about your actions here. Your new boss cares more seeing you succeed than hearing what an ex-employee has to say (especially if it's just negative stuff about the person replacing her). Don't let this get you down. As Justine says - don't waste your valuable time thinking about ways to deal with this. Just prove yourself through your actions. Good luck!

[Robin Holtson]

I agree with Chrissy and Justine. Don't discuss the letter. Your boss does not have time, nor does he care about the former employees opinion of you. He is the one who hired you, and he is the one you need to focus on. Business owners are too busy worrying about surviving in this ecomonic environment. Stand tall, give 110% and you'll be fine.

[deana79]

I think Justine hit the nail on the head. Even when someone is leaving a company at their own will, there is still a bit of jealousy of the person taking over. Your still going to miss the job and the people you worked with.

I would suggest you act as if you never read that note. If she trying to sabotage you, I can imagine that there may have been previous 'misbehavings' in the past, of which your boss is probably aware of. He may (and should) take the note with a grain of salt given the source. The best you can do is just put your best into the position and lets your boss and others form their own oppinion of you.

Good luck! Please post back and let us know how it is going.

[Jodith]

It's possible that the "lady" had someone else she wanted to have her job when she left and was upset that the boss hired you instead. I would look past this bit of pettiness. Don't bring up the letter unless he does, and just do your best at the job so he can see that she was wrong.

[angelface]

Originally Posted by shannon@global

I left my old job after 8 years of service with them and I just started a with a new company in December (1 month now) and the "lady" who trained me recently quit. Her last day was 3 days ago. I was originally hired as the receptionist but since the "lady" gave her notice at the end of December, she trained me for her position (a/c payable/receivables, which, I did at my last job and am quite familiar with). The owner of the company has been away the whole time I've worked here and is expected to return tomorrow. I have not yet worked WITH him but was hired by him before he left.

Today, I found a letter she wrote to the owner updating him on several things while he was away (mostly concerning business). I read two lines though that referred to me and I'm quite upset about it! One was that when he hires a new receptionist that he should give her a key RIGHT AWAY since I'm seem to be habitually late coming in. This is completely UNTRUE!! I'm here every morning at 7:30 and never left early unless the "lady" said we were closing earlier. She however left most days at 1 or 2 o'clock (she's paid til 4pm, and does the payroll).

The other notes was that he (the boss) will have to show me other parts of the business since she "had a hard enough time training her to do this work!". I don't understand where she was getting all this from! She seemed so nice to me while she was here. I took notes of everything she showed me and when I asked how she came to decide to pay which accounts at which time she said "I just know". Now, how am I supposed to learn from that response?

My question is this, I know I was supposed to see that note. Should I wait to see if my boss says anything to me at all about it? I can't prove that I was in on time (he'll see for himself that I'm punctual when he comes back). And if I do ask him questions on certain accounts, is he going to think I couldn't learn the position, when actually "she" wouldn't give me the correct information. And, how do I know on the stuff she DID train me on was correct. What if she is trying to sabotage me because she already had intentions on leaving!

Please give me all the advise you have!

That is real crudy! Now that I got that out LOL. Do not mention the letter to your new boss. You are on the right track, just arrive to work on time like you usually do. As far as the work, look at her records. If she kept acurate records, it would show you when things were to be paid. it should show some kind of consistency. If not, then do your best with the common sense that you have. By all means, do not talk bad about her or give your boss any inclination that the "lady" didn't do what she was supposed to do. But do not destroy the letter. Keep it. I may come in handy one day...You never know. BTW, something similar happpened to me. And let me just tell you...She probably had someone else ready for that position!!!!

Hope this helps.